the ecoustics podcast
Passionate about music, movies, HiFi audio, headphones and home theater, eCoustics has been covering the A/V industry since 1999. Join our diverse cast of journalists, audiophiles, industry experts and special guests for always spirited, sometimes controversial discussions about the latest news, happenings and trends in the audio, video and music industries. Whether you're listening through stereo loudspeakers with a vintage tube amp, rocking a multi-channel home theater, on-the-go with wireless speakers or headphones, streaming music or spinning vinyl, the experienced team at ecoustics breaks down what you need to know to really enjoy music and movies at home and on the road. https://www.ecoustics.com
Episodes
In the year 2000, veteran radio DJ William Goldsmith took a leap of faith and launched Radio Paradise, a streaming internet radio station. Tired of having to conform with the strict regulations and formatting restrictions of commercial radio, William vowed to bring his vision for radio to the world. Over two decades later, Radio Paradise is thriving with four high quality radio streams being delivered to hundreds of thousands of li...
Mark as Played
April 26, 2023 • 34 mins
Has the time come for Bluetooth to take a necessary step forward? Does it really make a difference which codec your headphones or source device support? The quiet release of Bluetooth version 5.2 three years ago set the stage for the future of the wireless protocol. New features have been added to Bluetooth’s core specification, including improvements to audio fidelity, which are set to begin making their way into the market this y...
Mark as Played
April 13, 2023 • 37 mins
There is always a bit of a risk when a company introduces a new loudspeaker range meant to satisfy the needs of the middle of the market; especially when said manufacturer has already established itself as a category leader below $1,000 and in the segment above $3,000. Can they find that magic again in a segment of the market that often struggles to attract mainstream attention?
The Q Acoustics 5000 Series of loudspeakers aims to fi...
The Q Acoustics 5000 Series of loudspeakers aims to fi...
Mark as Played
April 5, 2023 • 45 mins
One of the challenges facing those who want to enjoy immersive surround sound at home is the need for lots of speaker wires. WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio Association) is eliminating the need for speaker cables by enabling up to 8 speakers to connect wirelessly from a single source. That means it can work for both stereo listening and for home theater, supporting Dolby Atmos 5.1.2.
A few established audio brands are already integ...
A few established audio brands are already integ...
Mark as Played
March 24, 2023 • 54 mins
From Apple to Sony, from Dolby to Sonos, content providers and consumer electronics manufacturers are sounding a rallying cry for immersive sound a.k.a. Spatial Audio.
Do consumers want to hear it? Despite a huge marketing push featuring Apple Music, Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio, we’re not so sure.
Join Chris Boylan and Brian Mitchell for an in-depth discussion of the current state of spatial audio for music.
Panelists:
• B...
Do consumers want to hear it? Despite a huge marketing push featuring Apple Music, Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio, we’re not so sure.
Join Chris Boylan and Brian Mitchell for an in-depth discussion of the current state of spatial audio for music.
Panelists:
• B...
Mark as Played
March 2, 2023 • 56 mins
Meet Philip Jones, Director of Global Brand Activation at Masimo Consumer Audio Division (previously known as Sound United) and the co-owner of website Projector Reviews. Philip has a 30+ year history working in the A/V industry from his early days in specialty audio retail to product training positions at Yamaha, Sony and now Masimo (which recently acquired Sound United).
Masimo now owns all Sound United brands including: Bowers &a...
Masimo now owns all Sound United brands including: Bowers &a...
Mark as Played
February 15, 2023 • 29 mins
Wireless loudspeakers took a huge step forward in performance in 2022 and it is easy to understand why mainstream consumers and seasoned audiophiles are taking the plunge. How people consume music has changed and reflects shifting priorities when it comes to home audio/video systems. People want fewer components, easier connectivity, and the ability to create 2.0 or 2.1 systems that can enhance their listening and movie watching ex...
Mark as Played
February 8, 2023 • 47 mins
eCoustics Editor in Chief Ian White and Editor at Large Chris Boylan discuss whether speakers really need wires any more, and whether the new wave of "Spatial Audio" is the next big thing or just another passing fad. Also, could the new trend of putting truly high end audio brands into cars help usher in the wide scale adoption of multi-channel music?
Thank you to our friends and sponsor SVS for supporting and engaging with us here ...
Thank you to our friends and sponsor SVS for supporting and engaging with us here ...
Mark as Played
February 1, 2023 • 48 mins
In part 7 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we speak with vinyl mastering legend, Kevin Gray. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora.
So what does an award winning mastering engineer think about the current state of hi-fi? Kevin Gray takes the eCoustics Vintage Audio team on a surprising journey with his thoughts on all things audio and wh...
So what does an award winning mastering engineer think about the current state of hi-fi? Kevin Gray takes the eCoustics Vintage Audio team on a surprising journey with his thoughts on all things audio and wh...
Mark as Played
January 25, 2023 • 32 mins
In part 6 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we talk about oddities. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora.
Over the past 7 decades, consumers have had access to a myriad of hi-fi components that were not necessarily good or even useful. Claims about accessories that could transform the sound of your system were met with downright skeptici...
Over the past 7 decades, consumers have had access to a myriad of hi-fi components that were not necessarily good or even useful. Claims about accessories that could transform the sound of your system were met with downright skeptici...
Mark as Played
January 18, 2023 • 34 mins
In part 5 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we talk all things turntables. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora.
Ten years have passed since the rebirth of vinyl, and thousands of vintage turntables have been dusted off by music listeners and found their way into hi-fi systems around the globe. Consumers want to know if vintage tables ar...
Ten years have passed since the rebirth of vinyl, and thousands of vintage turntables have been dusted off by music listeners and found their way into hi-fi systems around the globe. Consumers want to know if vintage tables ar...
Mark as Played
January 11, 2023 • 36 mins
In part 4 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we talk reel-to-reel. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora.
Reel-to-Reel Tape Decks get a lot of attention on the used market and with new models and pre-recorded open reel tapes gaining traction with audiophiles once again, there are a lot of factors to consider before taking the plunge. The f...
Reel-to-Reel Tape Decks get a lot of attention on the used market and with new models and pre-recorded open reel tapes gaining traction with audiophiles once again, there are a lot of factors to consider before taking the plunge. The f...
Mark as Played
January 4, 2023 • 40 mins
In part 3 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we talk speakers. This episode is moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio with our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora.
Consumers and manufacturers love to wax poetically about “vintage” when it comes to loudspeakers, but the truth is that many of them require a lot of work and some luck if the previous owners have been less than gentle with them. There are...
Consumers and manufacturers love to wax poetically about “vintage” when it comes to loudspeakers, but the truth is that many of them require a lot of work and some luck if the previous owners have been less than gentle with them. There are...
Mark as Played
December 28, 2022 • 33 mins
In part 2 of 7 in our podcast series on vintage audio we examine both old and modern playback devices you may want to consider. This episode is hosted by our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora and moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio.
Integrating legacy devices including cassette decks and CD players into a vintage audio system is not difficult but are there any technical pitfalls that you might not be awa...
Integrating legacy devices including cassette decks and CD players into a vintage audio system is not difficult but are there any technical pitfalls that you might not be awa...
Mark as Played
December 28, 2022 • 32 mins
Our 7-part podcast series on vintage audio begins with a look at amplifiers. This episode is hosted by our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora; moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio.
Does the concept of investing in a vintage tube or solid state amplifier or receiver sound like a solid path forward? Before you take that blind leap down the rabbit hole, the eCoustics Vintage Audio team explains everything you...
Does the concept of investing in a vintage tube or solid state amplifier or receiver sound like a solid path forward? Before you take that blind leap down the rabbit hole, the eCoustics Vintage Audio team explains everything you...
Mark as Played
December 3, 2022 • 48 mins
The new line of SVS Prime Wireless Pro Speakers and SoundBase Streaming Amplifier bring some heat to the hi-res audio over wi-fi streaming arena. In this episode eCoustics podcast producer, Mitch Anderson sits down with SVS CEO, Gary Yacoubian and SVS VP of Marketing, Nicholas Brown to talk about the experiences these new hi-fi products can unleash into the homes (and dorm rooms) of sonic seekers anywhere.
Thank you to our friends a...
Thank you to our friends a...
Mark as Played
November 6, 2022 • 31 mins
Could the next generation of earphones offer a very different experience that transforms how we listen? Gary Spittle, Founder & CEO of Sonical, speaks with Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder, about the future of wireless earphones. Spittle believes that we have only scratched the surface of what's possible with wireless earphones and earbuds and provides a fascinating explanation of what's to come.
Learn more about Sonical at: https:...
Learn more about Sonical at: https:...
Mark as Played
October 19, 2022 • 56 mins
Have soundbars elevated or diminished the home theater experience? Is Dolby Atmos succeeding or failing to attract a new generation of home theater enthusiasts? The eCoustics team engage in a rather spirited debate about both of these topics and the impact of the Metaverse and Dirac Live in the home theater category. We go beyond Sonos and answer some of the hard questions you should be asking.
Happy Listening from our sponsor SVS. ...
Happy Listening from our sponsor SVS. ...
Mark as Played
September 30, 2022 • 52 mins
Hi-Fi components won’t last forever and when they break, there is nothing more frustrating than not knowing how to fix them. Who do you send it to? Can you do it yourself? Join us this week on the podcast as the eCoustics team discusses everything you need to know when things go awry. We get into basic maintenance, finding the proper tech, doing your own repairs, and how to perform upgrades or modifications.
Happy Listening from ou...
Happy Listening from ou...
Mark as Played
September 15, 2022 • 66 mins
In conjunction with the worldwide release of Shure’s new SE846 Gen2 Sound Isolating Earphones, we welcome two experienced product managers from Shure and our own Sr. Headphone Editor to discuss the details.
Take a deep dive into all the reasons why these earphones are so special, and be sure to check out our full in-depth review here:
https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/shure-se846-gen2/
The Shure SE846 Gen2 are being released today (...
Take a deep dive into all the reasons why these earphones are so special, and be sure to check out our full in-depth review here:
https://www.ecoustics.com/reviews/shure-se846-gen2/
The Shure SE846 Gen2 are being released today (...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
In order to tell the story of a crime, you have to turn back time. Every season, Investigative journalist Delia D'Ambra digs deep into a mind-bending mystery with the hopes of reigniting interest in a decades old homicide case.
It’s a lighthearted nightmare in here, weirdos! Morbid is a true crime, creepy history and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist. Join us for a heavy dose of research with a dash of comedy thrown in for flavor.
Unforgettable true crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports and in-depth coverage of high profile stories.